§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he has received from the Kerry County Council a resolution complaining of the negligence of the Estates Commissioners in dealing with the evicted tenants in Kerry; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have received the resolution referred to. There has been no negligence on the part of the Estates Commissioners in dealing with the applications of evicted tenants in county Kerry. Three hundred and twenty-three evicted tenants have been reinstated in their former holdings, or provided with other holdings, and the cases of any evicted tenants who have been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land will be dealt with as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked whether Mr. Frank Butler, an evicted tenant, of Cool-bane, Killorglin, has been sued for interest by the Estates Commissioners; whether the Chief Secretary has several times applied for the grant sanctioned in his case; whether immediate steps will be taken to have the grant given so that he may make the old house habitable and set to work on his land; how did the Estates Commissioners expect that a penniless evicted tenant was to work his farm as a dairy farm before he got a grant for stocking and building; and if steps will be taken to have the civil bill issued against him immediately withdrawn?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe holding formerly occupied by Butler was in the occupation of another tenant, who entered into an agreement to purchase from the landlord. Subsequently this tenant's interest was put up for sale, and was bought by Butler. The Estates Commissioners had the holding inspected, and as they did not consider it security for the advance applied for in the purchase agreement, the landlord agreed to accept the amount which they were prepared to advance. As already stated in reply to the hon Member's question for the 30th March the Commissioners also sanctioned free grants of £80 for stock, and £80 for buildings; but as their Inspector was informed that Butler had made a grazing letting of the lands, which would not expire till the present month, they held over the expenditure of the grant for stock until he had the farm available for it. The Commissioners are 2379W not aware that Butler has several times applied for the grant, and if he is now in a position to work the farm and so inform the Commissioners, they will take the necessary steps to expend the grant for stock, and will also expend the grant for building. Butler is liable under the purchase agreement for interest in lieu of lent, and the Commissioners have no power to remit this interest.